Exceptional Education and Childhood Education, B.S.Ed

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Accredited

Enrollment in all teacher education programs follows the guidelines for "Admission to Teacher Education Programs" found in this catalog. Applicants who do not yet meet all admissions criteria should consult with the department.

Undergraduate majors in exceptional education study within a cross-categorical program focusing on the education of students who have a variety of regular and special instructional needs. Included are students in disability groups traditionally associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical/neurological disabilities, and learning and behavioral difficulties.

Graduates of the program typically obtain positions as teachers in inclusive classrooms, resource rooms, self-contained classrooms, special schools, residential facilities, or as consultant teachers in general education settings. Students who pursue initial certification in both childhood special education and childhood education are particularly well qualified to work with students with special needs in integrated education settings. Students in exceptional education complete coursework in elementary education and special education to be recommended for initial certifications as a teacher of childhood education (grades 1–6) and childhood special education (grades 1-6) in New York State.

Candidates for initial certification who successfully complete the program will be recommended for initial certification. To obtain New York State teacher certification, all candidates who successfully complete the program will be required to pass all New York State Teacher Certification Examinations for Special Education and for their developmental area (Early Childhood, Childhood, Generalist 7-12).

Enrollment in all teacher education programs follows the guidelines for “Admission to Teacher Education Programs” found on in this catalog. Applicants who do not yet meet all admission criteria should consult with the department. Entering freshmen who express an interest in exceptional education on their applications to Buffalo State who meet the required admissions criteria for teacher education programs will be accepted into exceptional education (0299). Candidates who do not yet meet the minimum criteria may be accepted into the premajor (0301). They may apply for the full major after

Transfer students from other colleges or Buffalo State students who wish to transfer from another major, will be directly accepted into the exceptional education program if they meet all minimum criteria for teacher education programs. Candidates who do not meet all of the minimum criteria may be accepted as exceptional education premajors (0301) if they have not completed 60 or more credit hours. They may apply for the full major (0299) after

Buffalo State students who are undeclared or wishing to change to an exceptional education major from another major will be accepted directly into the program (0299) if they meet all of the minimum criteria for teacher education programs. Candidates who do not meet all of the minimum criteria may be accepted as exceptional education premajors (0301) if they have not completed 60 or more credit hours. They may apply for the full major (0299) after

Concentration Requirements (21-30 credit hours) A concentration can be in one of the following subjects: 2 21-30EnglishFrenchItalianmathsciencesocial studiesSpanishAmerican Studies

Distribution Courses beyond IF9 credit hours 9

Exceptional Education Major Requirements (65 credit hours)SPF 202 CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION 3SPF 203 SCHOOL AND SOCIETY 3SPF 302 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: ELEMENTARY EDUCATION 3EDU 211 INTRODUCTION TO LITERACY 3EDU 310 TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3EDU 311 THE TEACHING OF READING AND THE OTHER LANGUAGE ARTS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6EDU 312 THE TEACHING OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS 6EDU 404 PRACTICUM IN ELEMENTARY TEACHING FOR EX ED & MIDDLE SCHOOL EX STUDENTS 6EXE 100 NATURE AND NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 3EXE 360 FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES 3EXE 361 FIELD EXPERIENCE IN FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES 1EXE 362 BEHAVIOR AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT 3EXE 363 FIELD EXPERIENCE IN BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT 1EXE 364 EDUCATING STUDENTS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES 3EXE 365 EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 3EXE 366 FIELD EXPERIENCE IN EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT 1EXE 367 CURRICULUM FOR CHILDREN WITH MILD DISABILITIES 3EXE 368 FIELD EXPERIENCE IN CURRICULUM FOR CHILDREN WITH MILD DISABILTIIES 2EXE 375 INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION 3EXE 420 PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 6

Total Credit Hours 120-126

1 Up to 6 general education (IF 14) courses (math/quantitative reasoning, American Civilization, Western Civilization, Non-western Civilization, Humanities/English, Natural Science, Global and Diversity) may overlap with required courses in the major, distribution, and concentration which could significantly reduce the total number of credit hours required. Advisement is strongly encouraged.2 Some concentration courses may overlap general education (IF 14) courses. Advisement is strongly encouraged.